I’ve been asked
this question a few times and with only 4 books published and 6 written I
hardly feel an expert, because writing is a learning process and with each book
I learn something new. I thought I’d share what I’ve learned so far.

Writing for
category or series romance is not as easy as it sounds and most of the times
I’m asked how I do it. I can share a bit about what I know and how it pertains
to the category I write for, which is Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical
Romance. Though really, it can be applied to any line as long as you know the
nuances of that line. I’ll explain further down what I mean.

I didn’t think I
would ever be able to do that. I didn’t think that I would be able to write a
category romance. I was so shocked when I made the cut during the 2010 Medical
Fast Track, then went on to work with an editor and then sold.

They put me
through my paces and taught me how to write tight and right for series.

I will also tell
you there’s not really a formula. There are certain expectations and nuances to
the line. For example I write for Medical Romance. The romance between the hero
and heroine is still crucial, but it has to be in a medical setting. The hero
and heroine have to work together in a medical setting. There’s a push pull of
attraction with them working in this very high paced, adrenaline driven
environment.

It’s why I find
doctors, paramedics, nurses etc., intriguing. Your life is in their hands, but
they’re human too.

Here are the
guidelines straight for the Harlequin site:

Contemporary romance novels set in the medical world.

·Focus of the story must be on the
development of the central romantic relationship against the backdrop of a
contemporary medical setting.

·Strong, gorgeous, medical
professional heroes at the top of their game with hearts of gold, and heroines
to match.

·Heroes and heroines, who work
together in a medical setting, - their working relationship, medical dramas etc.,
help to drive the romantic relationship.

·Contemporary, international medical
settings are, however, integral to the story, and the central relationship
should rise out of them.

·A range of sensuality from intensely
passionate to warm and tender

·An emotionally intense read, ranging
from the traditional to the ground breaking.

·Innovative emotional conflicts, and
traditional emotional themes developed in a unique way are all welcome.

·Word count of 50,000

You don’t have a
lot of breathing room in 50,000 words. It sounds like a lot, but it’s not. There’s
not a lot of room to have lots of secondary characters, or an antagonist even.
Most of my favorite big books have these elements, but what I like about
category and series romance is it’s really character driven.

When I start out
writing my books for Medical I think what keeps the hero and heroine from being
together? What are their internal conflicts? What do they have to overcome to
get to their Happily Ever After?

And it’s not
always easy finding it. Trust me. Sometimes I’m right on the money in my
proposal and outlining stage. Other times, I’m thinking more externally.

What I mean by
external is “I’m his boss and therefore I can’t have a relationship with him”.

And internal “I
was betrayed in love. Hurt and I won’t ever open my heart up again.”

When you write
for any series romance, try to think about the internal reasons. What keeps
them apart and you’re on the right road.

Thank you for
allowing me to visit today. I hope this post has inspired some of you and the
best way to learn about a particular series you’re interested in writing about
is to read that series’ most recent releases!

Amy Ruttan's latest Medical Romance:

DARE SHE DATE AGAIN?

To love
again…?

Single mom and paramedic Samantha Doxtator has been living with a broken heart
after losing her husband years ago. Now she's finally back on track and
following her dream to become an air ambulance pilot…after training one last
student—George Atavik!

Since nearly losing his life in a plane crash, George will not waste the second
chance he's been given, and he won't deny the sparks flying between him and his
new mentor. Does Samantha dare risk her own carefully guarded heart for another
opportunity at happiness?

Interesting post! Thanks for the info. I enjoy reading books with a medical background, but it never occurred to me to consider writing one. Hmmmmm... I DID work in a hospital... HA. Just kidding. I'd rather read Amy's books.